COVID- 19 Emergency Response Fund Ensuring the safety of staff and students, and the resilience of higher education during a crisis The University of Cape Town has established an Emergency Fund to address urgent student and staff needs during the COVID-19 pandemic The Challenge than ZAR 7 million towards these efforts. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, The University of Cape Town (UCT) has set up a demonstrated her personal support by donating COVID-19 Emergency Fund to assist in the fight 20% of her salary to the fund for a three-month against the virus and its impact on the UCT period. Other members of the UCT executive and community. The goal is to raise ZAR 20 million many members of staff are also supporting the towards addressing urgent priorities related to fund. staff and student well-being during and after lockdown. This will assist the university to The funding will also be used to support continue to function effectively, delivering its value vulnerable departments, including the Baxter to society through quality research and education. Theatre, which is unable to generate income from shows during this time. Other initiatives, such as COVID-19 response efforts to date have included SHAWCO pop up clinics in vulnerable activities such as providing transportation for communities, require support to address the students who needed to return home ahead of urgent needs of South African society. lockdown, disinfecting buildings as they were vacated, sourcing laptop computers and arranging The COVID-19 UCT Emergency Response their delivery to needy students, providing Fund demonstrates commitment to supporting personal protective equipment (PPE) to essential the most vulnerable members of the UCT staff members who needed to remain on campus, community and purchasing data bundles for students to enable them to study from home. These responses will continue to evolve once staff and A donation of any amount will go a long way students begin to return to campus. towards helping our students complete their academic studies so that the UCT community can Urgent investment is required to manage contribute to the restoration of our country. The immediate impacts on UCT staff, students, and university would like to thank our UCT community groups. UCT is seeking ZAR 20 million to address – alumni, donors, and staff – for the generous ongoing urgent requirements relating to staff and contributions already made towards UCT’s student safety and wellness. We are grateful to COVID-19 response measures. the donors who have already contributed more Your support now will help to ensure that this important institution continues to play an important role in the growth of South Africa Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng, Development and Alumni Department, University of Cape Town Vice Chancellor Priorities related to staff and student wellness ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH FEE RELIEF The ‘missing middle’ are students who don’t qualify for either financial aid or student loans. These students are currently the most hard hit by the financial crisis, as many of their families struggle to pay their fees. This is necessitating that UCT provide additional financial aid so that vulnerable students are able to complete their studies. ENABLING REMOTE LEARNING UCT has been taking necessary measures to ensure that students can continue with their studies from home. In addition to providing classes online, UCT has also provided students with laptops and data to to enable their studies to continue. UCT has been sourcing housing for students, and transporting stranded students home to other parts of South Africa and Africa. ENSURING STUDENT AND STAFF HEALTH AND SAFETY Staff and student mental and physical health are a top priority of UCT management. During this challenging time we are taking extra precautions to provide food and student wellness services to vulnerable students. UCT is also providing personal protective clothing to essential staff. Development and Alumni Department, University of Cape Town Priorities related to organisational resilience and community support CREATING RESILIENCE FOR THE BAXTER The Baxter is the most active theatre in the country, presenting over 3 000 performances a year, with a growing international reputation. It is also the most diverse theatre when it comes to programming and audience members. The Baxter achieves this with a small and dedicated staff. Currently the Baxter depends on the income from ticket sales, donations, and theatre rentals. It requires additional support to adapt to COVID-19, enabling it to remain open beyond this crisis. To support the Baxter, please contribute via the UCT COVID-19 Emergency Fund, or donate directly to the Baxter “Cup of Coffee” campaign here. ENABLING SHAWCO TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS SHAWCO student leadership is committed to supporting the response to COVID-19. Donations via the COVID-19 Emergency Fund will enable the SHAWCO team to scale up the services to especially vulnerable communities via ‘pop-up’ mobile clinics. These clinics will offer primary care services, psychiatric support and, potentially, sexual and reproductive health services. Support is also required for the purchase of appropriate protective equipment for SHAWCO student and medical volunteers, to enable them to work directly with vulnerable beneficiaries. Development and Alumni Department, University of Cape Town Financial request The university is currently seeking funding to assist with the significant costs associated with managing the fallout of COVID-19 on the institution, with a key focus on staff and student health and wellness. Please help us to reach our goal of ZAR 20 million in emergency funding, joining the kind donors and alumni who have donated more than ZAR 8.2 million over the past few weeks. The university welcomes once-off donations and longer-term pledges – no matter how big or small. COVID-19 UCT Emergency Fund donations can be made to the following account: Bank name: Standard Bank of South Africa Limited Account name: UCT Donations Account Branch name: Rondebosch Branch code: 025009 Branch address: Belmont Road Rondebosch 7700 Cape Town South Africa Account number: 071522387 Type of account: Current Swift address: SBZAZAJJ Please forward proof of payment to [email protected] Donor Relation Manager: Sidney van Heerden Head of Fundraising Development and Alumni Department Tel: +27 21 650 5458 Email: [email protected] Development and Alumni Department, University of Cape Town.